H2OHIO PROJECT UNDERWAY - CRAWFORD PARK DISTRICT
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Newsletter of the
Crawford Park District
Winter 2020-21
H2Ohio Project Underway
The Crawford Park District was awarded a grant through the H2Ohio program to construct seasonal wetlands
at Sandusky Headwaters Preserve. Funding for H2Ohio was approved by the Ohio General Assembly in 2019 to
ensure safe and clean water for all Ohioans. To provide this, three major areas are the focus of H2Ohio: creation of
wetlands, the reduction in phosphorus runoff, and access to clean drinking water and quality sewer systems. The
Ohio Department of Natural
Resources (ODNR), the Ohio
Department of Agriculture, and the
Ohio Environmental Protection
Agency are the three agencies
allocating the funding necessary to
accomplish these priorities. The
CPD’s Sandusky Headwaters
Nutrient Reduction project was
one of twenty-four projects
selected by the ODNR for the
creation of wetlands to reduce
phosphorous and nitrogen loads
flowing into Lake Erie.
The Sandusky Headwaters
Nutrient Reduction project was
initiated in late 2019. After
proposals were accepted and
scopes of work approved, wheels
started moving. The Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and Crawford Soil and Water Conservation
District (SWCD) were brought on board to develop wetland plans for the site. Through their engineer and design,
approximately 3 acres of seasonal wetlands will be constructed. Per NRCS wetland construction specifications, a
tile search also needed conducted to decommission any tile that would otherwise impact the water holding
capacity of the seasonal wetlands. During the summer, a contractor was selected; Crawford Construction, Inc. of
Galion was awarded the project contract and a tentative start date of late September was set. As weather
conditions set back the anticipated start date, the first week of November showed promise.
Crawford Construction mobilized equipment to the site on November 3. After a leaky hydraulic line was
repaired, the tile search was conducted with no tile being found. (Due to the inaccessibility of the site and its
sparse farming history, Josh was quoted
PARK NEWS
saying he would “eat a skunk” if they find a
tile. Whew! or Pew?) With wetland
construction imminent, a date was set for a
groundbreaking ceremony. On November
12, the Board of Park Commissioners, CPD
Advisory Board members, SWCD staff,
Crawford Construction, and CPD staff dug
the first shovelsful of soil that will be part of
the Sandusky Headwaters Nutrient
Reduction seasonal wetlands. After
construction of the wetlands is complete, a
variety of native prairie and wetland seeds,
plugs, shrubs, and trees will be planted in
and around the wetlands in the spring.
Nutrient reduction is crucial for the health
of our waterways and Lake Erie. Located at
the headwaters of the Sandusky River, this
project is the first line of defense in reducing
phosphorous loads in the River’s 130-mile
journey to the lake. The CPD is pleased to be part of this landscape-scale effort to keep our lake great! For more
information about this and other H2Ohio projects, visit h2.ohio.gov.
Project Site: Water will be diverted from an intermittent stream (lower portion of picture) into the two larger
wetlands. The wetland to the left was added to not only assist with nutrient reduction, but also soil erosion;
water spills out of the ditch to the west and has washed out some of the field. The smaller wetlands in the
upper right corner are to act as vernal pools, holding water temporarily. The main portion of the field has
subsoil that is not is not conducive to wetland construction. (Sandusky River is top-left; SR 598 to the right.)
Page 2
PROGRAMS
Special Note Regarding Programming…
Pre-registration is required for all programs. All programs are free of charge, unless otherwise noted. For more
information or questions about programs, call 419-683-9000, or visit www.crawfordpd.org
As COVID-19 remains omnipresent in our lives, please note that programming is very much subject to change. Please
follow any mandates or guidelines set forth by the State of Ohio, CDC, and the Crawford County Public Health
Department while visiting your parks.
December
Homeschool in Nature: Winter Birds Hikin’ for Lichen
Thurs., Dec. 3 or Dec. 10 9am, 11am, & 2pm Saturday, December 12 2pm Lowe-Volk Park
Lowe-Volk Park Join retired OSU professor and botanical enthusiast
Winter is a great time for spying birds that are often Bob Klips
hidden during other seasons by the foliage of the as he leads
trees. This month we will study the birds that inhabit us on a hike
the park in winter. Dress for the weather because we to learn
will be outside. Classes are limited to 10 students per about one
session. Please call the Park District at 419-683-9000 of the most
to reserve a spot for your 5-12 year old. widely
distributed,
yet
frequently
overlooked
organisms
on the planet. A lichen is an unusual entity that is
made up of a symbiotic relationship between a
fungus and alga. This symbiotic relationship means
that both partners are benefiting from the
association. Join us to learn more and to see what
species of lichen you can find at the park. Call the
Park District to register.
Pinecone Decorations
Sunday, December 6 2pm Lowe-Volk Park Candy Cane Hike
Let’s get festive! Come make a pinecone holiday Monday, December 14 – Sunday, December 27
decoration for your home. We will provide the Lowe-Volk Park
pinecones, pine boughs, Take a stroll at your convenience
ribbon, glue gun, wreath through Lowe-Volk Park looking
forms, and miscellaneous for candy canes as you go. Each
items from nature. If you one will have a line of a poem for
have other items you wish to you to read. Once you finish your
add to your decoration or a hike, stop at the front desk of the
certain ribbon you prefer, Nature Center between 8am and
bring those with you! Call 4pm, Mon-Sat, to claim your
the Park District to register. prize!
Page 3
PROGRAMS
December/January
Snowy Owls… in Ohio!! Nature Hike
Wednesday, December 16 6pm Lowe-Volk Park Sunday, December 20 3pm Sears Woods
Join Naturalist Chelsea to learn all about the majestic Each winter brings with it a new set of challenges for
Snowy Owl. Although all life forms. Food supplies vary from year to year
we typically think of and of course the weather patterns play a key role in
this bird as a resident determining the makeup of winter bird communities.
of the Arctic, every Meet Warren Uxley at Sears Woods State Nature
few years some Preserve and find out what this winter will bring.
individuals make Call the Park District to register.
their way down to
our area of the Audubon Christmas Bird Count
world—even to Sun., Jan. 3 7am Meet @ Bob Evans in Bucyrus
Crawford County! We The classic example of citizen science, the Audubon
will also cover some Christmas bird count collects data on bird
tips for finding Snowy Owls around here in the populations throughout North America. Those who
winter. Call the Park District to register. wish to participate should meet Warren Uxley at the
Bucyrus Bob
Infant Explorers: Christmas Trees Evans at the
Wed., Dec. 16 or Thurs., Dec.17 5pm intersection
Lowe-Volk Park of US Route
Your first instinct may be to keep your babies 30 and State
indoors, but research tells us that infants in outdoor Route 4 at
spaces benefit from access to a wide variety of 7am. Call
sensory stimuli which they just can’t experience the Park
indoors. Join Naturalist Abby and baby Vincenzo for District to
a program about evergreen trees that will engage register.
your infant’s senses and get parents and baby out of
the house for some fresh air! Dress for the weather, Homeschool in Nature: Trail Cameras
we will be outside for at least part of the program. Thurs., Jan. 7 or Jan. 14 9am, 11am, & 2pm
Call the Park District to register. Lowe-Volk Park
This month we are going to learn why and how
Movie in the Park researchers use trail cameras to study animals. After
Friday, December 18 5:30pm Lowe-Volk Park making some predictions of our own, we will set up a
The holiday season is always a bait station and
busy time for everyone. Why camera to monitor
not plan for a relaxing night who or what visits our
and watch a holiday movie at park. Dress for the
the park? Wear your pajamas, weather. Classes are
bring your pillow and blanket, limited to 10 students
and settle in for a fun evening. per session. Please call
We will have an activity, the Park District at 419
popcorn to snack on, and hot -683-9000 to reserve a
chocolate too. Call the Park spot for your 5-12 year
District to register. old.
Page 4
PROGRAMS
January
Animals of the Ice Age Snowman Hike
Saturday, January 9 2pm Lowe-Volk Park Friday, January 15 – Sunday, January 24
During the Ice Age, there were mammals that we all Lowe-Volk Park
know of today, like deer, foxes, and squirrels. Take a stroll at your
However, there were many unusual mammals that convenience through Lowe-
roamed the earth approximately 10,000 years ago, Volk Park looking for
most of them very large, that are now extinct. OSU’s snowmen as you go. Each
Orton Geological Museum Curator, Dale Gnidovec, one will have a line of a
will be bringing fossil specimens and leading a talk story for you to read. Once
on these impressive animals. We will also have a you finish your hike, stop at
small craft for the children after the presentation. the front desk of the Nature
Call the Park District to register. Center between 8am and
4pm, Mon-Sat, to claim your
prize!
Terrific (or Terrifying!) Tarantulas
Wed., January 20 5:30pm Lowe-Volk Park
Do you think tarantulas are terrific? Or, maybe you
find them terrifying? Either way, join Naturalist
Chelsea to
learn about the
fascinating
lives of
Winter Night Hike tarantulas. Who
Wednesday, January 13 6pm Sears Woods knows? Maybe
Cold, crisp nights are great way to experience the you will change
natural world around us. Join Josh for a hike through your mind
Sears Woods to watch and listen for nighttime sights about these
and sounds. Call the Park District to register. awesome
arachnids. This
Bird Feeders on the “Fly” program will include a meet and greet with some live
Thurs., Jan. 14 – Mon., Jan. 18 Lowe-Volk Park tarantula friends! Call the Park District to register.
Overwintering birds would love a tasty treat, while
overwintering kids want something fun to do. We Feeding Day
will provide all the items you need to make a bird Sunday, January 24 2pm Lowe-Volk Park
feeder at home. Call the Park District at 419-683- Will it be fruits, vegetables, leafy greens, shrimp,
9000 to pre-order your worms, or mice? Can you guess what’s on the menu
“feeder in a baggie” by for the animals in the Nature Center? If you want to
January 13. Pick up will be help feed some of the animals, call the Park District
from Thursday, January to register.
14 – Monday, January 18 Did you know…
from 8am- 4pm except The largest snowflake on record with the Guinness
there will be no pickup on World Records was 15 inches wide and 8 inches
Sunday, January 17. thick? It was found in Montana in 1887.
Page 5
PROGRAMS
January/February
Infant Explorers: Pinecones Heart Hike
Wed., January 27 or Thursday, January 28 5pm Friday, February 12 – Sunday, February 21
Lowe-Volk Park Lowe-Volk Park
Your first instinct may be to Take a stroll at your
keep your babies indoors, but convenience through Lowe-
research tells us that infants in Volk Park looking for hearts
outdoor spaces benefit from as you go. Each one will have
access to a wide variety of an interesting fact for you to
sensory stimuli which they just read. Once you finish your
can’t experience indoors. Join hike, stop at the front desk of
Naturalist Abby and baby the Nature Center between
Vincenzo for a program about pinecones that will 8am and 4pm, Mon-Sat, to
engage your infant’s senses and get parents and baby claim your prize!
out of the house for some fresh air! Dress for the
weather, we will be outside for at least part of the Owls
program. Call the Park District to register. Wednesday, February 10 7pm Lowe-Volk Park
Charismatic and fascinating, Owls cast their spell
Toddler Trot: Snow Snoopin’ over all of us. Warren Uxley will present a
Saturday, January 30 10 am Unger Park PowerPoint program that looks into their lives:
While winter habitat, breeding biology, ecology and their haunting
can be calls will be examined in depth. Call the Park District
unpredictable, to register.
we’ll still plan
for snow! Join Love Bugs
Josh and Saturday, February 13 2pm Lowe-Volk Park
McKinley to Join Naturalist Abby for an
explore fun adults-only program where we
activities to do will explore the tug-of-war in
when snow is nature that has created some
on the ground. very intriguing mating habits
Even if there is in insects. Just in time for
not snow, exploring a winter wonderland is loads of Valentine’s Day, come
fun! For children not yet in kindergarten. Call the prepared with a great sense of
Park District to register. humor! Call the Park District
to register.
Homeschool in Nature: Trail Cameras Continued
Thurs., Feb. 4 or Feb. 11 9am, 11am, & 2pm Puppet Pals: A Walk in the Woods
Lowe-Volk Park Thursday, February 18 6pm Lowe-Volk Park
Smile, you’re on camera! This month is a follow up to Friday, February 19 11am Lowe-Volk Park
setting up our trail cameras in January. After Our Puppet Pals are exploring a forest! Join them in
retrieving our cameras, we will view the footage and finding clues to discover the many animals that call a
see how close we were to our predictions. Dress for forest “home”. With a Great-horned Owl, a Raccoon,
the weather. Classes are limited to 10 students per and many more, our Puppet Pals are sure to please.
session. Please call the Park District at 419-683-9000 Puppet show will include a kid’s activity. For kids
to reserve a spot for your 5-12 year old. ages 3-7 and their parents.
Page 6
PROGRAMS
February
Toddler Trot: Animal Signs Infant Explorers: Snow
Saturday, February 20 10am Lowe-Volk Park Wed., February 24 or Thurs., February 25 5pm
Whether snow, mud, or frozen ground, join Josh and Lowe-Volk Park
McKinley for a stroll around the wetland and down Your first instinct may be to keep your babies
the trails of Lowe-Volk Park looking for signs of indoors, but research tells us that infants in outdoor
animals. From tracks to burrows, animals leave spaces benefit from access to a wide variety of
many signs that live in the park, including their sensory stimuli which they just can’t experience
“calling card”! For children not yet in kindergarten. indoors. Join Naturalist Abby and baby Vincenzo for
Call the Park District to register. a program about snow that will engage your infant’s
senses and get parents and baby out of the house for
some fresh air! Dress for the weather, we will be
outside for at least part of the program. Call the Park
District to register.
Nature Hike
Sat., February 27 3pm Heckert Nature Preserve
By late February winter is starting to loosen its grip.
Winter bird flocks are breaking up and the first
courtship calls
can be heard.
Warm days can
Snow Insect Hike bring out
Sunday, February 21 2 pm Lowe-Volk Park overwintering
Some insects are most active on warm winter days butterflies. Meet
when the ground is still snow covered. Join Warren Uxley at
Naturalist Chelsea to discover which insects are Heckert Nature
active in winter and why they are most comfortable Preserve to see
in the cold. This program will include a brief indoor what this year’s season of transition will bring. Call
presentation, concluding with a hike down to the the Park District to register.
Sandusky River to search for insects. If we are lucky,
we may find the elusive Snow Scorpionfly! Call the Feeding Day
Park District to register and come dressed for the Sunday, February 28 2pm Lowe-Volk Park
weather. Will it be fruits, vegetables, leafy greens, shrimp,
worms, or mice? Can you guess what’s on the menu
for the animals in the Nature Center? If you want to
help feed some of the animals, call the Park District
to register.
Some Bird Nerd Info….While loons may be thought
to have been named for their crazy calls, the term
actually is a corruption of the word “loom” which
means “lame” in the language of the Shetland islands,
which refers to the birds awkwardness on land.
(Taken with permission from “The Birder’s
Handbook.)
Page 7
You have probably walked by a few thousand lichens in your lifetime and may have never noticed this widely-distributed
organism. When you focus your eyes, you can find many of these fungi and algae that live together to create an organism
that looks very different from a mushroom or slimy algae. Take a look at some intriguing lichens found at Lowe-Volk Park
th
and register for a hike on December 12 at 2pm to learn more about these interesting entities.
Forest Friends
The CPD’s new pre-kindergarten program, Forest Friends, is going well! Led
by new naturalist, Chelsea Gottfried, 4 & 5-year-olds are immersing themselves
in the outdoors. From exploring the creeks and woodlands, to playing in leaves
and learning about everything nature, the Forest Friends – and Chelsea – are
having a grand time!
Developing the Forest Friends program was spearheaded by Chelsea to offer
a “natural” alternative to typical classroom setting pre-schools. Interaction with
nature is essential in meeting the social, physical, emotional, and cognitive
needs of children. This program combines early childhood and environmental
education to: foster curiosity, inspire confidence & independence, encourage
problem solving & reflection, and strengthen
balance, coordination, & concentration. Learning
takes place at Lowe-Volk Park and is inquiry-based
and student-centered. Kindergarten readiness skills
such as letter recognition, counting, and writing are also
incorporated.
Our little Forest Friends love coming to hang out with
Miss Chelsea (Madi’s favorite thing about “school” is Miss
Chelsea.) Whether in the woods, creek, or wetland, they
have fun learning about nature and developing their school
readiness skills. Finding animals in the park is one of their
favorite things that happens during Forest Friends sessions,
but Isaac says it best: “I like just being outside!” Grant’s
Mom, Emily says, “He LOVES school! Every day when he
wakes up, he asks if he has school today.”
Forest Friends meet three days a week from September through April, with
morning and afternoon sessions available. While this year’s sessions are underway,
there still is availability. For more information about Forest Friends and how to
register your four or five-year-old, contact the park office at 419-683-9000. Look
for registration information for next year’s classes in our spring newsletter.
Page 10New H2Ohio Incentive Program Helps Improve Water Quality
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) is offering a new incentive program to encourage farmers to aid in
conservation and improve water quality. ODNR will be accepting applications for its Water Quality Incentive Program (WQIP)
from December 1, 2020 through January 29, 2021.
The new program is being offered in combination with the Lake Erie Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP).
CREP is a USDA conservation program that offers farmers and landowners financial compensation for taking cropland out of
production and establishing conservation practices. The H2Ohio Water Quality Incentive Program will offer a one-time
payment of $2,000 per acre for new Lake Erie CREP wetlands and forested riparian buffers (buffer strip with trees) to help
improve water quality in the Lake Erie watershed. Wetlands and riparian buffers act as filters to reduce nutrient loading into
waterways and help reduce flooding. Riparian buffers also stabilize streambanks to reduce soil erosion.
“This program gives farmers a unique opportunity to benefit the environment and themselves,” ODNR Director Mary Mertz
said. “The program will let farmers boost Ohio’s environmental health while receiving fair compensation.”
To qualify for the H2Ohio Water Quality Incentive Program, interested farmers and landowners must be eligible for CREP
and submit an H2Ohio WQIP application during the announced sign-up period prior to their CREP contract
approval. Applicants do not have to sign up for CREP prior to applying for the H2Ohio WQIP. However, if the applicant is
approved for the WQIP, an approved CREP contract will be required to receive the WQIP payment. Applications will be
scored and selected based on criteria to prioritize the best projects to improve water quality.
Farmers and other eligible landowners interested in additional program details, project planning assistance, and help with
the application process can contact ODNR technical staff at 419-424-5000, or the Crawford County Soil and Water
Conservation District at 419-562-8280.
Fall Bird Banding Update
On November 6 & 7, Bob Placier brought his mist nets to Lowe-Volk
Park in hopes of capturing Northern Saw-whet Owls (Friday night) and
resident/migratory songbirds (Saturday morning). Friday evening’s owl
banding was a success with 3 Saw-whets being captured. Being
migratory, these diminutive owls’ numbers are higher this year due to a
successful breeding season, which in turn is affected by food availability.
Boom years are cyclical, with every fourth or fifth year being a boom
year that brings more of the Saw-whets into Ohio – and other areas well
outside of their typical breeding range. This cycle held true for the
banding activity at Lowe-Volk Park: four years ago, we also captured
three Saw-whet Owls.
On Saturday morning, the nets were opened again for
the songbirds. A total of 16 birds (14 banded, 2
recaptured) were processed and released, representing
8 species. The most abundant were Golden-crowned
Kinglets (4 banded) and Tufted Titmice (3 banded, 1
recapture). Bob was very surprised about one of the
recaptures – a Carolina Chickadee. Weighing about as
much as two nickels, these small songbirds struggle to
live past three years. The recaptured chickadee caught
on November 7, was first captured and banded on May
10, 2014. At that time, it was aged as a second-year bird
(plumage is used in aging birds). A little math and voila!
The Carolina Chickadee has beaten many odds and is
well over seven years old. Bob was excited and said,
“That is the oldest one I have in my records!” Our hope
is that the chickadee survives one more winter and we
can recapture it once more. We will see! And thanks
again to Bob Placier for coming to band birds and
Jesse Swindle is ready to release the sharing his wealth of bird knowledge at Lowe-Volk
recaptured Carolina Chickadee. The Park!
chickadee and Jesse are only a few (Right three photos...Top: Blacklight used to age Saw-whet
months apart in age. Owls; Middle: Plumage can be used to determine gender;
Bottom: Checking for fat deposits.)
Page 11Recycling Update
Recycling is an important practice that eliminates waste in our landfills and allows materials to be reused for
similar or other materials. At the onset of shutdowns, recycling in Crawford County came to a screeching halt
with trailers and bins pulled from various locations. As restrictions were relaxed and guidelines set forth, as
with many other aspects of life, recycling came back. There were a few changes however. No longer will
Crawford County provide trailers for group recycling. (This means that the CPD will no longer receive funds
from the recycling trailer.) However, the recycling trailers are placed throughout the county offering many
locations for environmentally-conscience citizens to do their part. The following is a list of these locations.
Please note that these trailers are only set out Monday-Friday, except Lowe-Volk Park which is Monday-
Thursday. Trailers are not left out over the weekend.
Bucyrus City Hall
Quality Inn (Bucyrus)
Galion East Park
Crestline Village Hall
Lowe-Volk Park
New Washington (Behind Village Hall)
If you have a large amount of recyclables, please consider taking them to the Crawford County Recycling
Center, located at 5128 Lincoln Highway East, between the hours of 8am-4pm, Monday-Friday.
Common Household Items that can be
Recycled at the Recycling Center
• PLASTICS – Look on the bottom of the container, locate • PAPER • NEWSPAPER (Ad slicks are ok) • OFFICE AND
the recycling symbol and then the number within. COMPUTER PAPER • JUNK MAIL • TELEPHONE BOOKS •
a. #1 (PETE) “CLEAR” (Please rinse first, labels and caps MAGAZINES and CATALOGS • PAPERBACK BOOKS (No
do not need removed) • Soda Bottles • Water Bottles • hardbacks, please!)
Creamers • Vitamins
b. #2 (HDPE) “NATURAL” (Please rinse first, labels and • GLASS - BROWN, GREEN OR CLEAR (Please rinse first
caps do not need removed) • Milk Jugs • Water Jugs • and separate by color, labels do not need removed)
Juice • Shampoo • Laundry Soap and Bleach
c. #3-#7 Can Be Mixed Together (Please rinse first, labels • ALUMINUM CANS ONLY (Please rinse first) NO alumi-
and caps do not need removed) num foil or food trays are accepted.
• BOXBOARD • STEEL CANS (Please rinse first but labels may stay on)
a. Shoe Boxes a. Soup
b. Cereal Boxes
b. Vegetable
c. Soda Cartons
d. Dry Food Packaging Boxes – fruit snacks, pop tarts,
noodles, etc. (This list was taken and adapted from Crawford Soil and Water Con-
servation District and Crawford County Solid Waste District. Visit
their websites for more on recycling and conservation practices.)
• CARDBOARD (corrugated)
www.crawfordswcd.org
a. Pizza Boxes – Clean, no crumbs or liner paper www.crawfordcountysolidwaste.com
b. Packaging Boxes
Page 12The Dr. Laurie Anne Rhodebeck CPD Book Club
Do you love nature and also love to read? With
Memorial Scholarship the abundance of books available for nature lovers,
The Dr. Laurie Anne Rhodebeck Memorial Scholarship sometimes it’s hard to choose the
was established by the Friends of the Crawford Park District next great book to read. Join the
in memory of Dr. Laurie Anne Rhodebeck. Applicants can be Crawford Park District’s Book Club
entering any level of their educational attainment, attending and we will figure it out
any college, university, technical or vocational school, and together! Pre-registration is
entering any field of study. Preference is given to those required. So come armed with your
studying environmental sciences or other studies that favorite book about nature or a
correlate with the mission of the Crawford Park District and nature centered book you want to
to those who can display community services activities. An read and be ready to make your
essay on the environment is required. This scholarship is case to the club!
renewable for the entire time a student is in school as long Book Club Meeting Dates:
as they reapply each year. Interested applicants must visit Dec. 29; Jan. 26; Feb. 23
the Community Foundation for Crawford County’s website Book Club meetings take place at
at www.cfcrawford.org/scholarships. Deadline to apply is the Lowe-Volk Nature Center and
March 1, 2021 by 5pm. start at 6:00pm.
Colonel Crawford FFA
Assists with Seed
Collection
Over 20 FFA students donated their lunch
break to help collect prairie seeds at Salem
Prairie. With many helpful hands, Lisa and
Josh led the group in gathering large
quantities of Indian Grass, Riddell’s Goldenrod, Tall Sunflower,
Little Bluestem, Rattlesnake Master, and Stiff Goldenrod seeds.
It was a great way for the students to contribute to land
conservation in a maskless, socially distant manner. The seeds
will be used at Sandusky Headwaters Preserve and to augment
existing prairies on CPD properties. Many thanks to Mr. Josh
Schieber for instilling a great land stewardship model in his
students.
Nature Camp 2021 The CPD staff are hopeful that Nature
Camp will be back in full swing this
summer, but please be aware there may be
Ages Dates Times Cost some changes. We want you to have as
many details as possible so you can be
5-6 Year Olds June 14 – June 18 9AM - Noon $50 prepared. As in the past, we are opening
7-9 Year Olds June 21 – June 25 9AM - 3PM $100 camp registration on March 1, 2021 at 8 am.
7-9 Year Olds June 28 – July 2 9AM - 3PM $100 You can print the registration forms
10-12 Year Olds July 5 – July 9 9AM - 3PM $100 (available January 5) from our website; or,
10-12 Year Olds July 12 – July 16 9AM - 3PM $100 stop by the Nature Center to pick them up.
Payments (cash, check, or credit card) must
7-9 Year Olds July 19 – July 23 9AM - 3PM $100
be made at the Nature Center to reserve
7-9 Year Olds July 26 – July 30 9AM - 3PM $100 your child’s spot in camp. We will not take
5-6 Year Olds Aug 2 – Aug 6 9AM - Noon $50 any over the phone payments until March 2,
Page 13 2021.Thank you to the following who have donated to
the Friends of the Crawford Park District:
August 16, 2020 Through November 14, 2020
FRIENDS MEMBERSHIPS Bur Oak Circle (supporting) Jim & Linda Leyda
Kinglet (student/senior) Mike & Suzette Burger Mark Schneider
Frances Baldasare Gary & Shirley Burrer
Emma Boles Terry & Cheryl Corney Other Donations:
Quinten Boles Carolyn & Steve Helbert The Cochran Family
Paula Howell Brad & Peggy Larsen Les & Kathy Dyer
In Memory of Hourly, the cat Glenda Leuthold Kroger Customers
Maxine Keller In Memory of Miriam Etzinger Whit Martin
In Memory of Darl Keller Village of New Washington Amy Tyree
Gilbert Ross Jr. Gilbert Ross, Jr.
Robin Sirl Bald Eagle Club (sustaining) John and Becky Witter
Jeff & Ruth Ann Campbell
Cardinal (individual) Richard Carpenter Bird Seed Donations:
Denise M. Bell Jim & Ruth Ann Crabaugh Barbara Lee
In Memory of Richard C. Bell In Memory of Ernest Phillips
Martha Cellini Galion Kiwanis Memorial Donations:
Ronald Hedges Chelsea Gottfried Bill & Donna Fisher
Kenneth Klingelhafer Skip James In Memory of Jim Yetter
Phyllis Manley In Memory of Gerald James Galion High School Class of 1970
Kevin McKinney Joe Kelly In Memory of Rex A. Frye
Carol Moran Larry Metz Shirley Leonhardt and Family
Dorothy Strickler Richard & Helen Michalek In Memory of Kermit Kibler
Donald Walter In Memory of their Families
Donna Watts Bob Moorman In Memory of Evelyn Kibler:
Thomas P. Morton Marvin & Barbara Kocher
Flock (family) Tamara Robinson Eunice Mauler
Robert & Ruth Brown In Memory of Paul Robinson Sharon & Wilma Oberlander
John & Amy Cauvel Dave Sharrock Judy Rhode
In Memory of Todd Strickland Mark Schanzenbach
Terry Cooper & Mark Murphy Robert & Pat Trout Richard & Joyce Schanzenbach
Fred & Jean Dean In Memory of Oriana Cornell Donald Schimpf Family
Martha Flohr Rita Volk Barry & Paula Smith & Family
Greg & Kim Gabriel In Memory of Richard & Betty Vance
Jan Gledhill Lloyd & Martha Volk Barb Wirebaugh
Rebecca Hord Dorothy Wood
In Memory of Tallgrass Prairie Club (sponsoring) Thomas & Lisa Young
Gene & Alice Lower Bucyrus Kiwanis Club
Hazel & Dean Hunter Colonel Crawford Lion’s Club
Eric & Machelle Kocher Hord Family Farms
Anne Mahoney Rich & Chris Krahling
Rich & Sandy Sautter Dr. & Mrs. Joseph Shadeed
Donald & Judith Smith George & Kathy Sheets
Robert & Nancy Stauffer
John & Becky Witter Sycamore Club (promoting)
Mary Worden Deb Hiler
Page 14Meeting Information
The Astronomy Club will meet the 4th and 5th
Saturday of each month 30 minutes after sunset.
Programs will be held regardless of sky conditions,
so please dress for the weather. If the skies are
rainy or cloudy, we will meet in the Nature Center.
Please call 419-683-9000 to register for the
program.
December 26 6:00 pm
January 23 6:30 pm
Taurus January 30 6:30 pm
February 27 7:00 pm
Also known as the bull, Taurus is one of the 88
main constellations viewed in our night sky. It is Targets for Winter:
also one of the 12 constellations of the zodiac, Jupiter & Saturn – are slowly going to the west
first cataloged by the Greek Astronomer but are always crowd pleasers through the
Claudius Ptolemy. Due to its size and its telescopes.
brightest star Aldebaran, it should be relatively Mars – has some fascinating ice caps to view and
easy to spot on a clear fall or winter night. The
just had a close approach to Earth being only 38.6
stars that form the V-shaped cluster, represent
million miles away.
the head of the bull with Aldebaran creating the
eye of Taurus. If you are familiar with Orion’s m-31 – The Andromeda galaxy is approximately
Belt, those stars always point to Aldebaran. On a 2.5 million light years away making it our closest
clear night this winter, look for these celestial major barred spiral galaxy, which has about 1
wonders! trillion stars.
Great Orion Nebula – the birthplace of stars is a
The Quadrantids meteor shower will be active beautiful cloud of gas and dust 1300 light years
from Dec. 27 - Jan. 10 with the peak happening away. It is one of the brightest nebulas visible to
on January 3, 2021. These pieces of an asteroid, the naked eye with its radius being 12 light years.
that broke apart 500 years ago, will be moving at m-44 – The Beehive cluster is an open cluster full
a velocity of 41 km/s. There is an estimated rate of a mixture of yellow, red, and blue stars only 577
of 120 per hour with a history of producing light years away.
fireballs. m-45 – The Pleiades, also known as the seven
sisters, is an open cluster 444 light years away.
People often confuse it for the Little Dipper due to
its shape.
Double Stars – orbiting around each other.
Weather permitting, the Stellina scope will be brought
out. It will take photos of the stellar objects and we will
send those images to your smart phone. It is a very
Orion Nebula captured by the Stellina Telescope in about a 5 minute lapse. impressive addition!
Page 15Friends of the Crawford Park District NONPROFIT
2401 State Route 598 ORGANIZATION
Crestline, Ohio 44827 U.S. POSTAGE
419-683-9000 PAID
ZIP CODE 44820
Trustees: PERMIT NO. 10
Joshua Dyer
Martha Kozik
Dan Everly
Kyle Hartman
Barb Koschnick
Board of Park Commissioners:
Jan Maddy
Kyle Hartman
Dave Rowland
Park Staff:
Director — Joshua Dyer
Executive Secretary — Patti Schiefer
Naturalists — Lisa Bogard,
Abby Ditomassi, Chelsea Gottfried,
Warren Uxley
Program Asst. — Joy Etter-Link
Receptionists — Mandi Fruth, Patti Gervais
Maintenance — Mike Fruth
Trails Newsletter
Crawford Park District Abbreviated Calendar
Park/Program Location Key:
LVP (Lowe-Volk Park); UP (Unger Park); HNP (Heckert Nature Preserve);
SW (Sears Woods); BE (Bob Evans)
Date Program/Event Time Park Sun. Jan. 24 Feeding Day 2:00pm LVP
Thurs. Dec. 3 & 10 Homeschool: Winter Birds 9, 11 &2 LVP Tues. Jan. 26 Book Club 6:00pm LVP
Sun. Dec. 6 Pinecone Decorations 2:00pm LVP Wed. Jan. 27 Infant Explorers: Pinecones 5:00pm LVP
Sat. Dec. 12 Hikin’ for Lichen 2:00pm LVP Thurs. Jan. 28 Infant Explorers: Pinecones 5:00pm LVP
Dec. 14-Dec. 27 Candy Cane Hike All day LVP Sat. Jan. 30 Toddler Trot: Snow Snoopin’ 10:00am UP
Wed. Dec. 16 Infant Explorers: Christmas Trees 5:00pm LVP Sat. Jan. 30 Viewing the Night Sky 6:30pm LVP
Wed. Dec. 16 Snowy Owls...in Ohio!!! 6:00pm LVP Thurs. Feb. 4 & 11 Homeschool: Trail Cams Cont. 9, 11 & 2 LVP
Thurs. Dec. 17 Infant Explorers: Christmas Trees 5:00pm LVP Wed. Feb. 10 Owls 7:00pm LVP
Fri. Dec. 18 Movie in the Park 5:30pm LVP Feb. 12-Feb. 21 Heart Hike All day LVP
Sun. Dec. 20 Nature Hike 3:00pm SW Sat. Feb. 13 Love Bugs 2:00pm LVP
Sat. Dec. 26 Viewing the Night Sky 6:00pm LVP Thurs. Feb. 18 Puppet Show 6:00pm LVP
Tues. Dec. 29 Book Club 6:00pm LVP Fri. Feb. 19 Puppet Show 11:00am LVP
Sun. Jan. 3 Audubon Christmas Bird Count 7:00am BE Sat. Feb. 20 Toddler Trot: Animal Signs 10:00am LVP
Thurs. Jan. 7 & 14 Homeschool: Trail Cameras 9, 11 &2 LVP Sun. Feb. 21 Snow Insect Hike 2:00pm LVP
Sat. Jan. 9 Animals of the Ice Age 2:00pm LVP Tues. Feb. 23 Book Club 6:00pm LVP
Wed. Jan. 13 Winter Night Hike 6:00pm SW Wed. Feb. 24 Infant Explorers: Snow 5:00pm LVP
Jan. 14-Jan. 18 Feeders on the Fly 8am-4pm LVP Thurs. Feb. 25 Infant Explorers: Snow 5:00pm LVP
Jan. 15-Jan. 24 Snowman Hike All day LVP Sat. Feb. 27 Nature Hike 3:00pm HNP
Wed. Jan. 20 Terrific (or Terrifying!) Tarantulas 5:30pm LVP Sat. Feb. 27 Viewing the Night Sky 7:00pm LVP
Sat. Jan. 23 Viewing the Night Sky 6:30pm LVP Sun. Feb. 28 Feeding Day 2:00pm LVPYou can also read
